An alleged Palestine Action activist has been found not guilty of violent disorder – after a judge ruled there was not enough evidence to proceed with the charge.
William Plastow, 35, is one of eight defendants facing trial at the Old Bailey following a break-in at a UK site of an Israeli defence firm in August 2024.
The defendants are jointly charged with criminal damage and violent disorder at the Elbit Systems’ factory in Bristol. They deny the charges.
On Monday, Plastow, from Didsbury, Manchester, was found not guilty of violent disorder. The trial continues.
The eight defendants are accused of being involved in the planning of the break-in but are not said to have gone to the factory on the night itself.
Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC previously told the court they had compiled an equipment list, carried out reconnaissance, and purchased tools and weapons used by others.
She said the eight defendants intended to cause the “maximum amount of damage”.
Along with Plastow, the defendants are:
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Ian Sanders, 47, of Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
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Aleksandra Herbich, 41, of Brent, north-west London
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Teuta Hoxha, 30, of Southwark, south-east London
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Sean Middlebrough, 33, from Liverpool
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Julija Brigadirova, 33, from Chorlton, Manchester
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Hannah Davidson, 53, and Madeleine Norman, 31, both from Edinburgh
